In the shadows of snow leopards and the Himalayas: density and habitat selection of blue sheep in Manang, Nepal.

There is a growing agreement that conservation needs to be proactive and pay increased attention to common species and to the threats they face. The blue sheep () plays a key ecological role in sensitive high-altitude ecosystems of Central Asia and is among the main prey species for the globally vulnerable snow leopard (). As the blue sheep has been increasingly exposed to human pressures, it is vital to estimate its population dynamics, protect the key populations, identify important habitats, and secure a balance between conservation and local livelihoods.

The role of geography, environment, and genetic divergence on the distribution of pikas in the Himalaya.

Unlabelled: Pikas ( Link, 1795) are high-altitude specialist species making them a useful bioindicator species to warming in high-altitude ecosystem. The Himalayan Mountains are an important part of their range, supporting approximately 23%-25% of total pika species worldwide, yet we lack basic information on the distribution patterns. We combine field-based surveys with genetics-based identification and phylogeny to identify differences in species-environment relationships.